MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If Peppertree Apartments sounds familiar, it should.
As WREG reports year after year, it’s one of the common spots for crime in Memphis.
But that’s changing.
Stats show crime is falling at the troubled complex by about 11 percent with the biggest drop in domestic violence and aggravated assault cases.
Tenants still have safety concerns though especially since cops have been called to the complex on average twice a week this year.
Police have responded to aggravated assaults, robberies, thefts, burglaries and a murder so far this year at Peppertree.
Sixty-four crimes were reported there between January and July.
“There was just a shooting yesterday, and for the security to be here, they monitor but they monitor on their own time,” said resident Antonio Wilson.
Tenants told WREG the crime is out of control at the complex on Graceland Drive, but admit it’s getting better.
“A little. A little bit,” said Donte Smith.
Between May and October 2015, there were more than 188 crimes reported.
There was even a little girl was shot in the face while sleeping in her mother’s arms.
“I think everybody sees it as sort of last chance for a Peppertree,” said Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman.
He’s worked with Peppertree’s owners for months.
He put them in contact with Safeways, an initiative that promotes crime prevention and resident safety.
Safeways pointed out problems.
Lighting and fencing were fixed.
The place is now up to health code.
“They have made significant changes over at Peppertree. They’ve spent a significant amount of money over there making those changes,” said Hagerman.
One concern WREG noticed was someone cut a hole out of the fence.
We watched people walk in and out of the apartment complex avoiding the new front gate.
Hagerman admits there is still work to be done.
“Right now we have owners who are cooperative and trying. Right now we sort of have the best organization we know, project Safeways, coming up with a plan and acting on that,” he said.
Safeways hopes to complete work by the end of the year.
Tesco owns Peppertree apartments.
Management said it plans on implementing similar strategies at other complexes, even those that aren’t officially Safeways properties.
